Answers with Cary Elwes

Answer 1

What inspired you to write your book As You Wish?

I always get stopped by fans and asked about the making of the film and what it was like, and what Andre was like, and what it was like working with the cast. At the 25th anniversary we were all asked the same thing, but we really didn't get a lot of time to answer, so I thought this was the perfect time to do it. The rest of the cast were so wonderful...they all contributed to the book.

Answer 2

What is your favorite behind the scenes story from the book?

Oh gosh! There's so many, which is why I wrote it. It's hard to pick! If I had to sit down and think about it, I'd have to say the overall experience was so wonderful. It really was like camp for us. Here we were running around the English countryside dressed as pirates and princesses with giants and little people, it was hilarious! It was really fun. Sword fighting...and chasing...it was all great fun!

Answer 3

What has affected you the most personally working with Mercy Corps?

Well, I went to Darfur during the crisis there and I saw first hand just how dire things were out there. And again, they believe that old saying "give someone a fish feed them for a day, give them a fishing rod and feed them for a lifetime"...their whole concept is to help provide the resources for that community to get back on its feet and actually be a thriving economic community again....that's their goal. When I saw what they were doing and how they took these communities in Darfur and helped put them back on their feet by getting them to open up stores where they could sell shoes and mats and ovens and things like that, it was just incredible! They irrigated their farms and got them back feeding themselves again. It was just incredible to see...absolutely incredible!

Answer 4

You work with Mercy Corps. Can you talk about what they do and why you support them?

Mercy Corps are the most original non-governmental agency and non-profit that I came across. They are very creative: whereas Mercy Corps and most non-profits arrive in a country after a manmade or nature related event, when most of the non-governmental organizations leave, Mercy Corps stays behind to help rebuild that community. That's something that I thought was so unique about them and fascinating about them. After all the aid has been brought in: food, shelter, amenities, medical supplies...they stay behind to help plant the seed to help that community get back on its feet. They are unique in that respect.

Answer 5

Given your experience acting in a variety of genres from comedy, to drama, to horror... in which do you find yourself most successful? In which are you most comfortable?

I'm most comfortable working. That's where I like to be. Other than being with my family, the only other place I'd rather be is on a set shooting.

Answer 6

How was it working with the Saw franchise? Also, was the big reveal at the end of the final chapter always planned from Saw 1?

No, they literally were figuring it out as they went along. I think it was a fan who actually helped tie it all together, which is kind of cool. They were stumped as to what to do for Saw 7, and it was a fan who wrote the producers and figured out a way to tie it all together.

Answer 7

Had you been to Alaska before? What was the experience like?

No. Oh my gosh, it's so beautiful! I recommend anyone who has never been to go. It's absolutely stunning. We had an incredible canvas to work with as far as our backdrop was concerned.

Answer 8

How would you compare Sugar Mountain and The Greens Are Gone?

Sugar Mountain is more of a family drama. The Greens Are Gone is about loss...it's about family and loss. It's with Catherine Keener, and she's wonderful by the way...I loved working with her. Yeah, they're different. They're both dramas but they're both different.

Answer 9

What can you tell us about your upcoming film Sugar Mountain?

I've got two films coming out. One is called Sugar Mountain with Jason Momoa and Melora Walters. It's a drama set in Alaska. We shot it in a place called Seward, Alaska. It's a really wonderful film, really a beautiful ensemble piece. And then the other film is a drama we shot in Boston and it's called The Greens Are Gone, and it's a very dark movie, actually. It's not the demographic that's going to be reading this piece, I don't think (laughs).

Answer 10

What was your experience like working on Psych?

Oh my gosh, I had so much fun on that show! Those guys were so funny. I miss it! I had such a good time. It's really one of very special things as well. And again, the fans seemed to have really attached themselves to that series, and Pierre Despereaux in particular. So again, I feel very blessed.